Higginbotham loss 'big blow' to Pulis

Tuesday 5 April 2011 23:00 BST

Click to followThe Independent Online

Stoke City's Danny Higginbotham has ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

The defender sustained the injury at the end of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea and now faces up to six months out. His manager Tony Pulis is "devastated" to lose such a consistent performer: "It's a big blow for the team. Hopefully he will return to training by the back end of pre-season."